AutoSum (and Other Common Auto-Formulas)

Some formulas can be entered simply by clicking a button in Excel. Excel will even guess which data the formula applies to, meaning that if your spreadsheet is properly laid out, you don't have to select the cells.

AutoSum

To quickly sum a row or column of data:

Select the cell to the right or at the bottom of a set of numbers:

On the HOME tab, in the Editing group, click the AutoSum command:

Note that Excel guesses the data you wish to sum and gives you the option to edit the formula if you wish:

Press Enter.

Count Numbers

To quickly count the number of cells in a row or column that have data:

Select the cell to the right or at the bottom of a set of numbers:

On the HOME tab, in the Editing group, click the drop-down arrow to the right of the AutoSum command:

Select Count Numbers:

Note that Excel guesses the cells in which you wish to count numbers and gives you the option to edit the formula if you wish:

Press Enter.

Average

To quickly average the numbers in a row or column:

Select the cell to the right or at the bottom of a set of numbers:

On the HOME tab, in the Editing group, click the drop-down arrow to the right of the AutoSum command:

Select Average:

Note that Excel guesses the cells in which the data you wish to average lies and gives you the option to edit the formula if you wish:

Press Enter.

Min

To quickly find the minimum number in a row or column:

Select the cell to the right or at the bottom of a set of numbers:

On the HOME tab, in the Editing group, click the drop-down arrow to the right of the AutoSum command:

Select Min:

Note that Excel guesses the cells in which you wish to find the minimum number and gives you the option to edit the formula if you wish:

Press Enter.

Max

To quickly find the maximum number in a row or column:

Select the cell to the right or at the bottom of a set of numbers:

On the HOME tab, in the Editing group, click the drop-down arrow to the right of the AutoSum command:

Select Max:

Note that Excel guesses the cells in which you wish to find the maximum number and gives you the option to edit the formula if you wish: